As we look forward to 2018, we consider new year’s resolutions! The most common resolution every single year is to get healthy/fit. Unfortunately, many of those making this resolution have made it year after year. So, as 2017 comes to a close, we wanted to give you a few ideas of how to keep this resolution in the new year.

How to Keep Your Health Resolution

Getting healthy in the new year can mean a lot more than just losing some weight. Here are some ideas for keeping your health resolutions:

Define your resolution. Make sure your resolution is closely defined. A general “get fit” resolution can be difficult to keep.

Think about all the things that make you healthy. Getting healthy for the new year can mean different things to different people. It may involve going to the gym more often, eating more salads, or buying organic.

Make small, attainable goals. Many people become over ambitious when they write their resolutions. They say things like “I will go to the gym every day this year.” And then, when they have to miss the gym one day, their entire resolution is a failure. Instead, set a goal like “I will do 30 minutes of exercise three times a week.” So, if you miss a day at the gym or you have to exercise at home, you haven’t failed your goal.

Consider your health from the outside in. Your skin is your largest organ and you absorb chemicals, vitamins, minerals, and more through it. So, consider what you put on your skin along with what you put inside your body.

Whether you do your pedicures at home or you head to the salon to get your toes in shape, your feet have been stuck in winter boots and shoes for months. It’s time for a little self-care! That’s why we’ve written this short “how to” on getting your feet ready for the spring and summer weather - meaning ready for open-toe shoes and a little more exposure to the elements. Not only do you want you toes looking pretty, but you also want your feet protected and comfortable in all types of shoes.

1. Soak your feet. Whether you have a fancy foot tub, you have a bathtub, or you just have a few deep bowls, it’s time to give your feet a bit of TLC. Fill your tub or bowl with warm - almost hot water and pour in some Epsom salts. You can make a homemade sugar scrub with 2 parts coconut oil and 1 part brown sugar along with a drop or two of essential oils, too!

2. Scrub your feet. Use a pumice stone to scrub your heels along with any calluses. Then use your favorite scrub or soap to get the rest of your feet sudsy and clean

3. Dry your feet and give them a deep moisturizing treatment. Massage in the Hand and Heel Creme of your choice, giving your cuticles particular attention. If your cuticles are creeping up onto your nail, you may want to push it back with an orangewood stick.

You will likely want to repeat this process a few times, as it will take more than one scrub to make your feet smooth and soft.

4. Moisturize in between soaks as well. While you’re giving your feet the royal treatment, be sure to moisturize after your daily shower or bath as well. This will give any cracks or extreme dryness time to heel.

Summer is right around the corner which, for many, means camping, cookouts, and other outdoor activities. It also means a higher likelihood of being bit by a mosquito. While mosquitoes have been a mere irritant here in America in the past, we now have a frightening, mosquito-borne disease to worry about. That is, the Zika virus.

As summer approaches, many families and expecting mothers are buying bug spray in bulk for mosquito-bite prevention. However, when it comes to bug repellents, there are specific drawbacks that everyone should be aware of.

The Dangers of DEET

DEET stands for N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide. You can see why it got abbreviated!

This chemical is one of the most common ingredients in bug repellants. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say that products that use DEET are safe, they also note that it can cause skin rashes, blisters, and mucous membrane irritation. Additionally, it is not recommended that DEET repellents are used too frequently, DEET should not be used for children under 2 months old, and it should not be inhaled as it is toxic if ingested.

Two separate studies have found that DEET has additional negative health effects. The first was done on Everglades National Park employees. This found that 25% of the subjects experienced negative health effects from rashes to nausea, from headaches to dizziness from DEET. A later study done at Duke University found that frequent and prolonged exposure to DEET led to brain cell death and behavioral changes in rats. The conclusion of both studies was that this product should not be used on humans.

Natural Mosquito Repellants

Fortunately, botanical repellents have been found to be effective against bugs and mosquitos. Ingredients like citronella, oil of lemon eucalyptus, and geraniol have all been found to repel mosquitoes.

Here at Sage Stone Botanicals, we offer an effective, toxin-free bug spray. The active ingredient is simply citronella, which is an essential oil distilled from two varieties of grass. It smells grassy and floral, but bugs and mosquitoes hate the scent.

Not only is citronella safe to put on your body, the Food and Drug Administration recognizes it as a safe flavoring agent for food or beverages. So, it is simple and safe to apply on moms, moms-to-be, dads, children and even babies.

Our goal is to help you, your family, and your friends stay safe and healthy this summer. Head on over to our shop to find our safe and effective citronella bug spray along with all of our other citronella products. And, if you are shopping in the month of June, 2016, be sure to take advantage of our online special which includes our citronella bug spray, citronella body lotion, unscented hand and heel cream and unscented bath and shower gel all for only $40.00.Read more